Mike Gregory

Currently eight months away from a degree in communication Journalism. Using the GI Bill from my time in the Marines to pay for school. Would really like to start my own organic food company. Playing guitar, playing with my kids, spending time with my wife.

Students React to Incident

Duke University officials and police are searching for those involved in the placing of a rope noose outside the student commons area, in the Bryan Center. Officials say that the noose was discovered at 2 a.m., Wednesday morning, and that they will work to find the culprit or culprits. President Richard Brodhead spoke to a crowd of several thousand, as they gathered in front of the University chapel. He told them that even though the administration and police are looking for those responsible, it is up to each individual to reject racism. “One person put up that noose, but this is the multitude of people who got together to say that’s not the Duke we want,” he said while speaking to the crowd.

In a region where terror and violence against African Americans was once prevalent, Duke University has been plagued by several recent events to include, a report of hate-speech directed at students on the East Campus, and now, the discovery of the noose. Provost Sally Kornbluth sent out an email to students, saying that the campus has been “jolted,” by these recent events.

The incident reared its ugly head just days after students helped organize a recruiting day at Duke for talented black high school students from around the United States. One of the organizers Tara-Marie Desruisseaux, 19, from New York City stated that in light of the recruiting effort, she feels that “they’re looking back at us and wondering, what were they selling me and what do they accept that they think Duke is so great?”

Another student, who identifies herself as half-Japanese and half-Columbian, said that she is “appalled and embarrassed to go to the school right now,” after she saw a photo of the noose on Facebook just after waking up Wednesday. “Coming to Duke, I was very nervous about the racial tensions at the school but I never actually imagined that something so blatantly racist could happen here.”

When Dayna Rumfelt’s marriage ended after 8 years, she opted to destroy her wedding dress, but she destroyed it in the most epic way possible. Over a period of seven months, she wore the dress in ways that a wedding dress is not to be worn. The 35-year-old divorcee from Wasilla, Alaska, set out to ruin the dress after her marriage crumbled in 2014.

“It felt so freeing,” she told The Huffington Post. “I felt like I had a monkey on my back, dragging me down into the mud.” And dragging through the mud is exactly what she did, while wearing her gown. She started the odyssey by coaching, in her gown, at a Rage City Rollergirls roller-derby game. Next, Rumfelt and a friend, who was also going through a divorce, jumped into Reed Lake, clad in their former marriage attire. However, this dive into the water didn’t do much to affect the dress, although it did have an odd smell after it dried.

Other exploits included dragging the dress, literally, through the mud, playing paintball in the dress, and there were even talks about skydiving in the dress, however, time ran out, she was tired of seeing it, and Rumfelt decided to give the dress one final test; fire. “It’s funny how when you’re getting married your wedding dress seems so fragile, but really when it comes down to it, those suckers are tough as nails,’ she said.”

The dress came to its end in a backyard bonfire, which was captured by a photographer. Rumfelt said that the dress “had to go,” and not only was its demise a “sense of relief,” but, “Almost all my negative energy had transferred to the dress over time, and it had made me so sad to see it. I slept really well the night of the bonfire.”

Comedy Central Roasts Bieber

On March 14th, Comedy Central held their roasting series, with 21-year-old Justin Bieber in the coals. The Canadian pop star, whose career has been plagued by scandals, sat by as he was picked apart by various celebrity stars. Kevin Hart was the host for the event, and fellow roasters included Jeffery Ross, Ludacris, Chris D’Elia, Natasha Leggero, Shaquille O’Neil, Hannibal Buress, Snoop Dog, Will Ferrell as Ron Burgundy, and even Martha Stewart.

Throughout the night, Bieber was verbally attacked, in good humor, by his panel of roasters. Here are some of the highlights from the night:

1.) “Justin’s Canadian. He’s actually considered American, because no Canadian has ever been this much of an a**hole.” – Kevin Hart

2.) “You gotta give it up for Justin. He started from the bottom and he’s still a bottom” – Hannibal Buress

3.) “I’m proud of you. You have it all. You are literally a guy who has it all, except for respect, love, friends, good parents, and a Grammy” – Chris D’Elia

4.) “This kid has spunk, moxie, and a few other STDs” – Will Ferrell as his alter ego Ron Burgundy

5.) “Justin, as a father of six you have to straighten up, son. Last year, you were ranked the fifth most hated person of all time. Kim Jong-un didn’t rank that low, and he uses your music to torture people.” – Shaquille O’Neal

6.) You bought a monkey! I mean, that monkey was more embarrassed than the one that started the AIDS epidemic.” Snoop Dog

7.) Justin, I’m sure it’s great to have 60 million followers on Twitter, but the only place people will be following you in jail is into the shower.” Martha Stewart

8.) “Justin, Selena Gomez had to f–k you. She is literally the least lucky Selena in all of entertainment history.” Natasha Legerro

9.) The Brazilian prostitute that claimed she was with Justin told the news that he was well-endowed. And that prostitute would know because so was he.” Ludacris

10.) “Is it true you dumped (Selena Gomez) because she grew a mustache before you?” Jeffery Ross

After the roast was finished, Justin Bieber took a minute to try and shed his image as a troubled bad boy, by saying, “The things that I’ve done really don’t define who I am. I’m a kind-hearted person who loves people, and through it all, I lost some of my best qualities. For that, I’m sorry,” he said, “What I can say is I’m looking forward to being someone who you guys can look at and be proud of.”

$50,000 Reward Offered for Information

Los Angeles Police are asking the public to help find Eloi Vasquez, a 19-year-old University of California, Berkeley, economics major and star soccer player. Police say that Eloi has been missing since leaving a University of Southern California frat party early Saturday morning.

Vasquez left the party at the University of Southern California frat party, hosted by Tau Kappa Epsilon at approximately 1:30 a.m. after telling friends there that he wanted to go for a walk. Friends tried to persuade him to come back to the party, but Vasquez said that he was going to the beach. He never came back, and no one has been able to contact him since. His last communication was to his friend, Aurora Cardenas, at around 2:15 a.m., and he told her that he was lost, and that he was “screwed”.

Police officials say that Vasquez left without any identification or money on his person, but that he did have his cellphone. Vasquez called his friend, told her he was in trouble, and that he needed her to come get him. He tried to call again but the phone “clicked” when Cardenas answered. She said that she wasn’t sure if it had ran out of battery or if he had hung up. Upon telling his friends that he was going to the beach, it is not certain whether he knew that the nearest beach was over 15 miles away.

His parents, friends, and officials have been searching the area, to include Santa Monica and Venice Beaches. Vasquez is described as 6’ tall, 175 lbs., and of Hispanic ethnicity. He was last seen wearing a white and red shirt, grey chinos, and white plimsolls. Cal Athletics stated on their site that “Our entire Cal Athletics family is very concerned for Eloi’s safety and our first priority is to help in any way we can to locate him.”

Two Dead, One Wounded in Family Shooting

A 13 year-old teen in Hudson, Florida, just north of Tampa, shot his brothers in an argument over food, and then himself. In the shooting, the teen killed his 6-year-old brother, shot and wounded his 16-year-old brother, and then turned the gun on himself.
The Sheriff for Pasco County, Chris Nocco said that the brothers were eating dinner in their Sugar Lane Mobile Park home, when and argument broke out over food. The mother of those involved, and their 18-year-old brother, were not home during the incident. Nocco said in regards to the shooting, “This is a horrific scene,” and that the shooting was a “Nightmare.”

The teen supposedly retrieved the handgun during the argument and began shooting. A 911 call was placed by the 16-year-old at 6:19pm. Authorities say that the 16-year-old’s wounds were not thought to be life threatening, and that he was treated at an area hospital late Wednesday. Very little has been released as to the details of the shooting, but Sheriff Nocco is expected to provide more details on Thursday, at around 11:00am.

A spokesperson for the Pasco County School District, where the brothers attended, says that grief counselors would be on hand to assist any student in need. That spokesperson, Linda Cobbe, stated that, “We’re devastated that this would happen to such young children, and we are prepared to provide whatever services are needed at their schools,” She said that she couldn’t “even imagine,” as to what students and family were going through.

Ironically, this shooting took place, less than 2 miles, from where another family slaying occurred back in August of 2014. Three members of a family, and that of a fourth man were found murdered in their home. An ex-boyfriend of one of those killed is still awaiting trial.

Evidence Shows Co-Pilot to Blame

Paris (AP) – The co-pilot of the Germanwings 9525 Airbus A320 flight, which flew into the mountainside in the southern French Alps on Tuesday at over 435 miles per hour and killing all 150 on board, did so intentionally. Brice Robin, the Marseille Prosecutor in the case, stated that the commander of the flight had left the cockpit in order to use the lavatory, and upon return was unable to regain access to the controls. “The intention,” of the co-pilot, said Brice, was “to destroy the plane.”

It was determined through recording and data retrieved from the planes black box, that the co-pilot, Andreas Lubitz, sent the plane into a rapid descent, and eventually, the deaths of everyone aboard the plane, including himself. Information from the black box shows that as the last minutes of the doomed flight began, and the plane started to descend, there was polite knocking, and then frantic pounding on the door to the cockpit, while alarms were sounding, but nothing was said by the co-pilot. Brice stated that there was, “absolute silence in the cockpit.”

In Lubitz’s hometown of Motabaur, Germany, those who knew him said that Lubitz, who was in his late twenties, had never shown signs of depression, and that last fall he had renewed his glider pilot’s license. A member of the glider club that Lubitz belonged to, Peter Ruecker, stated that he “was happy he had a job with Germanwings,” and that “he was doing well.”

Lubitz had obtained a glider’s license as a teen, and he eventually became a pilot trainee after finishing a hard German prep school. Ruecker, who had watched Lubitz learn to fly said that Lubitz had “gave off a good feeling.” Lufthansa, the owner of the Germanwings franchise, said that Lubitz had joined Germanwings in September of 2013, and had 630 hours of flight time prior to that.

When asked if Andreas Lubitz may have had ties to terrorism, Brice responded, “A terrorist? Absolutely not”

Burnt Remains Found On Suspect’s Property and Evidence Removed

Food Network Star contestant Christie Schoen Codd, was recently found murdered, along with her husband, Joseph, and police have captured the alleged killer of the Candler, North Carolina couple. Contractor Jason Owens in facing two counts of first-degree murder, as well as murder of an unborn child. Codd was five months pregnant. The Food Network reality show star was reported missing by family before her and her husband’s bodies were found.

Owens had been hired to do work around the couples North Carolina home. CNN reported that Owens was arrested after authorities received a phone call stating that there was suspicious activity around the Codds’ home. The Sheriff for Buncombe County reported to CNN that the caller had seen someone putting items in a dumpster and that they were acting very suspiciously. These items were later recovered and appear to have belonged to Schoen Codd.

Owens is also facing theft charges for stealing items from the home, including a laptop, gun and jewelry. Owens was arrested and confessed to taking the items. His wife told reporters that he has confessed to her about the killing of Joseph Codd, although it is not certain whether he has confessed to killing her Christie. A search warrant was obtained by authorities and investigators have found burnt human remains in a woodstove on the property that they believe belongs to the Codds. Also removed from the residence were 11 knives, and a saw blade, leaving family and friends to believe that Owens had tried to cut apart, and burn the bodies.

No details have been released as to motive for the killings. It was also revealed that this is not the first time that Owens has been a suspect in a murder. He was the prime suspect in the disappearance of college student Zebb Quinn 15 years ago, but Quinn’s body was never found.

Christie Schoen Codd was a Hollywood celebrity chef, and her husband, Joseph, worked on movie sets. Neighbors stated that they didn’t see them around much, since they traveled a lot.

Brett Morgan’s Film Shines a Light on Kurt Cobain

A three piece band from Aberdeen, Washington came onto the radar of millions in 1991, with the release of their song “Smells Like Teen Spirit”. That band, Nirvana, was fronted by Kurt Cobain, whose distorted electric guitars and unique, graveled, voice brought change in the music industry, knocking long-time hit-makers such a Michael Jackson from off of the charts. Furthermore, their style, the “Grunge” sound that they introduced, would be mimicked and played for many years to follow. Along with bassist Krist Novoselic and drummer Dave Grohl (of Foo-Fighters), the band would release three studio albums, 1989’s Bleach, 1991’s Nevermind, and 1993’s In Utero. Tragically though, the band would be short lived; Cobain was found dead on April 8th, 1994. The cause of death was from an apparent suicide at his Seattle home.

21 years later, not only does the band’s influence and sound still remain at the top, but Cobain’s iconic status still lives on. Most recently, Brett Morgan has created a film that integrates animation, interviews with friends and family, journal entries, family photos, films, and also, an unreleased Cobain acoustic song. Eight years in the making “Montage of Heck” is already gaining momentum as an intimate portrait of a man, whom for the most part, attempted stay below the “Rock-God” pedestal that many had placed him on.

“I just wanted to give Frances (Cobain’s only child to Hole singer Courtney Love) a few more hours with her dad,” Morgan said during the film’s introduction. Brett Morgan was given access to all of the troubled front man’s belongings, so that he could help create a film that showed Kurt Cobain for who he was, not only as a musician and artist, but as a human being. Asked as to why he did not delve into the death of Cobain, Morgan stated that he “didn’t want to make a celebration of death…I wanted to make a celebration of life.” The film goes from Kurt as a small child, through his teenage years, up until his performance of MTV Unplugged. While the film has had nothing short of good reviews, the film will be available to HBO subscribers on May 4th.

UEFA Champion League Tropy Tour

College News was lucky enough to catch up with Jerzy Dudek. He has played for Liverpool FC, and Real Madrid in his career, and created one of the most memorable moments in Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) history, where he completed a double-save at pointblank range in overtime. The legendary soccer player has teamed up with Heineken to bring more awareness to the sport. Also coming along for the tour is the coveted UEFA trophy. The 2014 World Cup final was watched by an estimated 26.5 million in the U.S. which was up 7% on the 2010 figures, and higher than domestic ratings for the World Series, and NBA Finals. College News spoke with Jerzy about soccer, and this event and this is what he had to say:

CN: So Jerzy, statistics are showing that soccer is becoming more important here in the States, what do you think it is that is drawing in the American crowds?JD: Yes it is, Americans are definitely showing that they are interested in soccer. I think it is the most important now, than ever. Everything seems to be going in that direction and I like that they are taking the big style of Europe and using them to compete. I remember when I was young, I’d watch all of the players, how they compete, how they train, and their performance. I think that is what we are seeing now.

CN: How does Heineken and the UEFA plan to make soccer an interest to the US crowd?JD: Doing this trophy tour in the U.S. is a great start to getting more interest, it is a fantastic way to get attention from the people who like soccer. All of the big names in European soccer want to promote it. I think for the best description, anyone can visit Heineken.com/soccer and it will explain more.

CN: So the Hashtag #championthematch, tell us a little more about this. I read that you can actually engage with other professional players, while you watch the game?JD: Yes, exactly, you’re correct. I started a few months ago and we can chat during the match, which is fantastic. You can follow us as the game is in play, and we can answer any question that you may have.

CN: Cool, so it’s like watching the game from your couch, with a pro player right next to you?JD: Yes, exactly

CN: The UEFA Champion League Trophy is a pretty coveted article within soccer, only five teams have earned the right to retain the copy of this trophy, such as Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, How do these teams get the chance to have it?JD: Win! Every soccer player in Europe wishes to win the series and earn the trophy. I think it is an honor to have the trophy. All you have to do is win, and be at the top of the competition.

CN: Where can fans get a chance to see the real trophy while on tour? Can they get a picture?JD: We basically start in New York, and wherever we stop, they can see the trophy and get a picture with it. If they want to find out where we are, please check out Heineken.com/soccer, which will explain everything.

CN: Is there anything else that you’d like to say to the College News readers?JD: Yes, I just want to thank all of the fans, and especially the players out there for wanting to come out, and wanting to make the sport something bigger. It is a pleasure for me to come to America to promote this all.

“I Would Die 4 U / Under the Cherry Moon” 7″ single to be released on April 18, 2015

As the story goes, this came from an April Fools joke that Bloodshot Records posted last year, that had fans up in arms that a Bloodshot tribute to Prince was not actually being released. So, now Bloodshot is giving the people what they want via this special release with two honestly breathtaking renditions paying homage to Mr. Nelson.

Side A is Lydia Loveless and her band taking “I Would Die 4 U,” The Revolution’s 1984 Purple Rain standout, to a whole new stratosphere. Lyd sings with more desperation than devotion while her band uses the opportunity to desecrate the synthesized, layered mold with twin lead guitars eventually contorting to chaos. Don’t worry; you can still dance to it in front of your bedroom mirror like you did in high school.

Side B is Cory Branan digging a little deeper in the Paisley Park catalog and coming out with the title track from Mr. Nelson’s ill-fated directorial debut Under the Cherry Moon. The track features (Bobby Bare Jr. collaborator) Matt Rowland’s illustrious piano-playing while Cory channels the creepy (erotic-yet-suicidal? The ’80s were weird.) bedroom R&B of the source material into a dingy Manhattan jazz lounge interpretation, sung with the fervor of Tom Waits doing The Phantom of the Opera. Oh, it’s dark, folks. Real dark.